Suction-operated signal for automobiles



Aug. 27, 1929. N. w. MATTHEWS SUCTION OPERATED SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES 2Sheets-Sheet Filed June 18, 1928 zfiarveqy.

Aug. 27, 1929. N. w. MATTHEWS SUCTION OPERATED SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILESFiled June 18, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i504: 72 for 12w rmv 714174TT/IEWJ.

Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

NEWTON W. MATTHEWS, OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA.

SUCTION-OPERATED SIGNAL FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed June 18,

This invention relates to traflic signals and more particularly todirection indicating signals adapted for attachment to automobiles.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a direction-indicatingsignal which shall be operable by the suction of an automobile engine. Afurther object is to provide such a signal wherein the only manualoperation required will be the setting of a control for the desireddirection indications.

An additional object is to provide in combination a fully automaticcontrol for attaining a stop-signal position of the same signallingmember giving the direction-indicating positions. And another object isto render the mechanism positively operable to return the signal elementto the original or neutral. position.

The invention for accomplishing these objects resiees essentially in arotary or swinging signal member in combination with a suction creatingmeans, suchas an automobile engine, suction-communication being providedbetween the engine and the signal for operation of the latter to assumesignalling position. According to one form, the signal member is movableto a plurality of positions, such as Right, Left and Stop, through themedium of a control valve which selectively applies suction throughcorresponding connections to actuate the signal to the respectivepositions. Preferably the control valve is set .niianually for Right andLeft positionabut is connected with the brake pedal for automatic shiftto and from Stop position, manual shift to Stop being possible ifdesired. Preferably, also, the control valve includes provision forapplying the suction to return the signal. positively to neutral.position, that is non-signalling position. The invention thereforeresides also in the combination of a pneumatic signal operable, forexample by means of engine suction, to a plurality of signallingpositions. with a control. device having a plurality of ducts or portsand movable to a plurality of positions for selectively applying thepneumatic energy (engine suction in the example) and thereby selectivelypositioning the signal element.

In a specific type, the signalling device or". the present inventionincludes a rotary memher having a blade or vane fixed thereon andmovable therewith, this member being 1928. Serial No. 286,349.

mounted upon and carried by a stationary base having at least one andpreferably two blades or walls with respect to which or between whichthe movable vane oscillates in its various movements. The rotary membercarries the signal element. The stationary base and said rotary membertogether with their blades, cooperate to form and enclose a suctionchamber with which communication is had through a plurality of ports,each of which ports has connection with a common control valve which inturn is connected with the intake or suction side of the engine. Thecontrol valve includes a rotary member which has a plurality of ports,these ports being adapted to be brought into selective registry with theterminals of said connections. The rotary control member is manuallymovable to its various positions, and is also automatically movable toStop position through the medium of an easily-releasing detent which isconnected with the brake pedal of the machine. This detent is preferablycarried on a rotary ring which is moved when the brake pedal isactuated, the ring being rotated by brake pedal actuation and therebymoving the rotary control member, the detent being readily disengagedwhen the rotary control member is manually actuated.

An additional suction connection leading from the control member to afourth port on the base member of the signal device, provides for thepositive return of the signal element to neutral position. Suitableports for venting to atmosphere are also provided in the movable controlmember, and an electric circuit together with the necessary contacts areprovided for lighting lamps in the signal element.

The invention resides further in such other novel arrangements, featuresof construction and combinations of parts as may be else where hereindisclosed.

In the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment is disclosed merelyby way of illustration of the generic invention;

Fig. 1, is chiefly a front elevation of a signal as applied to the leftside of an automobile, parts however being broken away to show internalconstruction.

Fig. 2, is a corresponding side elevation and section as taken from line2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a front elevation ofthe base member and-bracket of thesignalling device, a nd Fig. i, is a horizontal section therethrough asindicated by the line l-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5, is chiefly a vertical section through the upper or operativeportion of the rotary or swinging signal element.

Fig. 6, is a vertical section through the control valve as indicated byline 6-6 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 7, is an inner face view of the rotary control member.

Fig. 8, is a rear face view of the relatively fixed body member of thecontrol valve.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12, are rear views (as the driver sees them)indicating the position of the movable parts of the control valve andthe relation of the various ports and ducts for the Neutral, Right, Leftand Stop positions respectively of the signal.

Fig. 13, is a detail of the detent spring on the brake-operated. ringwhich releasably engages the rotary control member of the valve andserves to move the same automatically -to and from Stop position.

The structure illustrated includes primarily a signalling arm, a signalactuating member -A- carrying the signal arm and in turn carried by abracket -B' provided with cooperating parts, and a control valve -C-through the medium of which suction is solectively applied to operatethe member A for actuating said signal. The braclret -B- is secured asby means of bolts 1 1 to the post -P- which supports the automobilewindshield, and is provided at its outer end with a base member to whichis centrally secured a sleeve 17.

The casing 18 of the actuating member -A has a working fit against thebase 15 and is centered thereupon for swinging move-' ment relativethereto, by means of a centering and journaling pin 20 secured to saidcasing and passing through and journaled in the sleeve 17, the pin beingreduced at 20' and passing through the base 15 to receive a nut andwasher 21 engaging the outer face of said base and securing the parts inrotative relation. A radially disposed blade 22 is carried by the casing18 and preferably is formed integral therewith, the outer end of thisblade having a working fit against the base 15 and its central or axialedge being provided with a groove 22 receiving a spring 23 and a sealingstrip 24, the latter being urged by the spring into sealing engagementwith the outer wall of the sleeve 17.

The lower outer portion of casing 18 carries the signalling arm 25 whichincludes a housing secured to the casing 18 as through the medium of aflange 26, said housing having its front and rear walls provided witharrow-shaped openings 27 or the like behind which colored translucentpanels 28 may be placed, the whole being adapted for illumination byelectric globes 29 supplied with electric current through meanspresently to be described. The upper side of the casing 18 preferably isprovided with a counterweight W- to partially or entirely balance saidsignal arm 25.

To cooperate with the blade 22, the base 15 and the sleeve 17 havesecured thereto upper and lower radially disposed blades or partitioningwalls 30 and 31 respectively whose ends have a working lit against thefront wall of casing 18 and whose outer axial edges are provided withpacking strips 32 engaging the inner circumferential wall of said casing18, the blade 22 thus travelling between said blades or walls 30.

The housing 18, the base member 15 and the blades 22 and 31 thus enclosea suction chamber through which the blade 22 is adapt ed to travel undersuction influences, and these influences are applied to said chamber byway of a series of suction ports S, --L, and -R- formed in the base 15and respectively representing the routes for the application of suctionto move the signal to the positions indicating Stop, Left and Right. Inaddition, a fourth port --N is provided in the base 15 where itunderlies the blade 22 when the latter is in neutral or non-signallingposition, this port however lying between said blade 22 and the upperfixed blade 30 when the signal is in any 6perative position, wherebysuction may be applied through port -N for positive return of the signalto neutral.

In order to avoid shock at the end of the return stroke. the port -N- isspaced slightly from blade 30 so that an air pocket will be formedbetween blades 22 and 30 and the air therein will act as a cushion, asmall bleeder port 33 being provided in blade 30 to permit the slowescape of the air residue into the outer portion of the casing and toenable gravity to complete movement of the signal to neutral position. Avent hole 34 in the bottom of casing 18 prevents the trapping of a deadair body in said outer casing portion and thereby prevents interferencewith air passage through the bleederport.

Thus far, it will be seen that the application of suction to the signalactuating device -'A-'- through the various sports N,

S -L, and -R, will result in moving the blade 22 of the signal casing 18until the respective port is covered whereupon suction is wholly orapproximately cut off and the signal arm 25 remains in the positionassumed, suction through ports S, L. and -R producing Stop (or Slow),Left and Right signals respectively, and suction through port- -N-resulting in positive return of the signal to the original or neutralposition. These movements will be more fully described hereinafter.

Said ports N, S, --L, and R-+ are supplied by means of communicatingducts formed in the base 15 and these ducts llll communicate withconduits N', S' -l/-, and R, of rubber or metal tubing which connect theports N, S, L, and R respectively with control ports N", -S", L", and Rformed in the stationary body member 40 of the control valve C. Saidbody member 40 is carried on a plate 42 secured to the wind shield postP and is equipped with a central stud 43 which projects through andpositions the rotary member 44 of said control valve C, a washer and nut45 on the end of said stud serving to engage the part 44 and retain thesame in rotative relation, while handle 46 serves to produce rotation.Said rotary control member of disc 44 is provided on its inner face withan annular suction-receiving groove 48 having a plurality of radiallyextending branches 50, 52 and 54 which are adapted to registerrespectively with the control ports -R, L-, and -S, the branch 50 alsobeing adapted to register with port -N Groove 48 is permanently incommunication with a port E in the body member 40, which port E iscontinuously under the influence of suction during the operation of theautomobile engine, this influence being conveyed by a connection E-which leads from the intake man ifold M of the engine or motor -M-.

Thus as the rotary control disc 44 is rotated to bring the branches 50,52, and 54 selectively in communication with the ports -R", L, and Srespectively, the corresponding conduits R, L-, and S-- and their portsR, -L and -S are selectively placed under suction influences, with theresult that the signal casing 18 and its blade 22 together withthesignal arm 25, are brought selectively into the respective Right,Left and Stop positions. And when the branch 50 registers with port -N(handle 46 being straight up), suction is applied to port N and thesignal is returned to normal. The relative positions of these parts areindicated in Figs. 9, 1O, 11, and 12.

In addition, the rotary control member 44 is provided with three ventports -V, -V' and V which pass entirely therethrough and communicatewith the atmosphere, the ports V and V being symmetrically located withrespect to branch 50. When the parts are in Eight position, the port Vregisters with port N" and thereby admits atmospheric pressure throughport N- so that the signal parts may be moved readily to operativeposition under influence of suction applied through branch 50 to port Rand thence to port R, the blade 22 and the signal thus being fullyadvanced until the port R is covered and the signal stands in positionto indicate Right.

When the member 44 is moved back to neutral, the port -V- admitsatmosphere to the port R- and thence by Way of port R to the suctionchamber in the signal actuating device A, While the branch 50 appliessuction through -N and N- to the space between blades 22 and 30, thusreturning the signal. When member 44 is moved to Left position,atmosphere ad mitted through V toport N and thence to port N, and branch52 registers with port -L thus applying suction through L- to move thesignal 25 to indicate Left. When the member 44 is moved to Stopposition, port -V admits atmosphere to ports N and N, and the branch 54registers with port -S to admit suction to port -S and thus move thesignal 25 to Stop position.

From the foregoing the position of the coin trol valve parts and therelation of the ports to move the signal 25 to the various positionswill be clear.

However, it is desired that provision be made for also actuating thesignal to Stop position entirely automatically and by means of the brakepedal K. For this purpose a device is provided which releasably engagesthe rotary control member or disc 44 to rotate the latter through themedium of said brake pedal. This device as shown is in the form of aring 55 which rotates upon the peripheral wall of the body 40 and isretained in position between the rotary member 44 and an annularshoulder 40. of said body.

A laterally extending arm 56 on said ring receives the end of a cable 57which passes through an expansion spring 58 mounted. between the arm 56and a lug 59 fixed on the plate 42 of the control valve, the cable thenpassing through a sheathing 60 and thence to an extensible spring 61which completes the connection with the pedal. The expansion spring 58serves to return the ring to normal position after release, while theextensible spring 61 serves to permit an additional movement of thepedal after the ring has completed its movement, the ring movementsbeing limited by a pin 62 and groove 63 provided in the ring and body asseen in Fig.

1. The releasable detent connection between the ring 55 and the rotarymember 44 consists in a bent or curved spring 64 one end of which isheld in a lug 65 projecting from the ring and positioning the spring sothat it normally engages lightly in a notch 66 in the rotary controlmember 44. When it is desired to move the member 44 manually for any ofthe settings, the spring easily disengages from the notch 66 and ridesalong the edge of said member, but when the brake pedal is actuated andthe ring 55 is moved thereby, the engagement of the spring in said notchis ample to insure corresponding movement and return of the disc 44along with the ring movements.

It should be noted that extremes of movement of the control disc 44 inopposite directions are the right and left positions, and in order thatthese exact movements may be easily accomplished, a pin 68 is providedon the inner face of the disc 14: and travels in a groove 69 in the body40, the ends of said groove limiting the movement of the pin. and henceof the disc 4%. Since the movement to Stop is usually automatic throughthe ring 55 and since the movement of ring 55 is limited, this positionis also easily accomplished, and return to neutral from Stop is alsoautomatically obtained. Return to neutral from Right or Left is. easilyinsured because theposition of handle 46' is then. straight up. If it bedesired to move manually to Stop position, the movement can be easilyapproximated in that it is substantially half the movement to Left.

In order to add further to the utility of the device, means is providedfor closing a circuit to light the lamps 29 and illuminate the arrows ofthe signal arm, and this means comprises a series of stationary contacts70 mounted in a block 71 of insulation carried by the base 15, and amovable spring contact 72 carried by the signal housing 18, suitableelectric conductors 7 l and 7 5 supplying these contacts. The contacts70 are so placed as to be engaged by spring contact 7 2 when. the signalis in any of the direction indicating positions.

Thus a complete signal for automobiles is provided for all uses, theright and left signals being automatically accomplished by the suctionof the engine merely by making an easy manual setting of a controldevice, return from these positions being accomplished in a similarfashion, and the stop signal with the same mechanism may be fullyautomatic by reason of connection with the brake pedal.

It is to be understood that the specific constructions herein disclosedare not to be considered as limiting in any sense, but merely asillustrative of a generic invention confined only by the scope of theappended claims, it being obvious that many improvements may be madewithin the scope of such claims by those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A signal comprising a signal actuating mechanism having asuction:chamber and a base, a signalling device carried by said base and havinga blade movable over said base to a plurality of direction-indicatingpositions, said base being provided with a plurality of portscommunicating with said chamber and adapted to be passed by said blade,a control device having a plurality of ports respectively incommunication with the ports in said base, said control device includinga movable control member having a ductin communication withsuction-applying means, said member being movable to bring said ductselectively into communication with the ports in said control device tomove said signallingdevice selectively to its various positions, and asecond control device having releasable engagement with the movablecontrol member to move the latter to one position and releasable topermit independent movement of said member.

2. A signal comprising a signal actuating mechanism having a suctionchamber and a base, said base having a plurality of ports communicatingwith said chamber to apply suction thereto at different effectivepoints, a signal member connected with the mechanism an d movable to aplurality of directionindicating positions, control means forselectively applying suction to the ports for moving the signal to'therespective positions, and a second control means mounted in releasableengagement with the first control means to move thelatter forapplication of suction and to permit independent movement thereof byreason of said releasable engagement.

3. A signal having a suction chamber and a movable signal memberconnected with and actuated thereby to a plurality of positions, saidchamber having a plurality of suctionapplying ports communicatingtherewith, a control valve comprising abody having a plurality of portsconnected respectively with the first mentioned ports, a rotary controlmember mounted on said body and having a suction connection adapted tobe moved to communicate selectively with the ports in the body, and asecond movable control member also mounted on said body and having areleasable detent engaging the first mentioned control to move thelatter and releasable therefrom to permit independent movement thereof.

4. A signal comprising a signal actuating mechanism having a suctionchamber and a base, a signalling device carried by said base and havinga blade movable over said base to a plurality of direction-indicatingpositions, said base being provided with a plurality of portscommunicating with said chamber and adapted to be passed by said blade,a control device having a plurality of ports respectively incommunication with the ports in said base, said control device includinga movable control member having a duct in communica tion withsuction-applying means, said member being movable to bring said ductselectively into communication with the ports in said control device tomove said signalling de vice selectively to its various positions, saidbase being provided with a fixed wall adjacent the neutral position ofthe movable blade and with an additional port adjacent said wall to becovered by the blade whereby an air cushion will be provided in the chamber formed between said wall and blade.

5. A signal comprising a signal actuating mechanism having a suctionchamber and a engagement with the first control means to base, said basehaving a plurality of ports move the latter for the application ofsuction communicating with said chamber to apply and to permitindependent movement thereof suction thereto at different effectivepoints, by reason of the releasable engagement, and

a signal member connected With the mecha connection leading from saidsecond con- 15 anisin and movable to a plurality of directrol meansadapted to be connected with and tion-indicating positions, controlmeans for operated by the foot brake ofan automobile. selectivelyapplying suction to the ports for In testimony whereof I affix mysignature. moving the signal to the respective positions,

10 a second control means mounted in releasable NEWTON W. MATTHEWS.

